Docklands cops move into new station

Local police will have an even greater presence in Docklands, after last month moving into the new Spencer St headquarters.

Officers from the Melbourne West Police Station, which oversees Docklands, moved into the new headquarters on May 12.

The branch had been based at the Victorian Police Centre on Flinders St since 1995 and, according to station commander, Sen-Sgt Mick Wilmott, the new station will provide greater accessibility for the public.

As the largest station in the state, Melbourne West Police Station covers Docklands and the western end of Melbourne’s CBD, from Elizabeth St.

Sen-Sgt Wilmott said the ground floor, 24-hour station at Spencer St would provide a more central location for Docklands residents and visitors to the city seeking assistance or advice from local police.

“Not only does the location of the new station make it easy to find for the community but it makes it a much more central location for our police covering the Melbourne West area.”

Apart from greater local accessibility, the built-to-purpose tower also has inbuilt security features including bollards, barriers at garage entrances and an elevated floor level making it impossible for anyone to drive up to the entrance to the building.

Alongside the Melbourne West Police Station, the new headquarters will also house the state’s largest Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Scene Services, the Divisional Intelligence Unit, the Divisional Response Unit, the Sexual Offences and Child Investigation Team and the Bicycle Patrol Unit.

Employees from Crime and Intelligence commands, North West Metropolitan Headquarters and Forensic Services will also be moving from current offices on St Kilda Road and Flinders St.

Work on the 12-storey police complex at Spencer St started in 2012 and the official opening of the building is expected next month.